The TRU WolfPack women’s volleyball team participated in a series of exhibition scrimmages this past weekend. They faced off against Volleyball Canada’s National Excellence Program (NEP), with the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) Heats present.
The NEP is Volleyball Canada’s elite under-18 program, designed to identify and develop the country’s top young athletes. These athletes, selected from high schools across Canada, are trained to compete in international programs and tournaments on the global stage. The TRU WolfPack have hosted the NEP for scrimmages for the past couple of years, and this year it was held once again in the TRU gymnasium.
The teams played three games: the first on Friday at noon, the second on Friday at 5 pm, and the final scrimmage on Saturday at 9 am. With a focus on player development rather than competition, the matches were a great opportunity for players to gain and access their progress. Coaches present across all three teams could also evaluate individual and team performances. For the ‘Pack, the setts were particularly important to help their younger athletes adjust to the pace and intensity of playing against top-tier opponents.
These exhibition matches are also building momentum for upcoming games.
The WolfPack kicked off their regular volleyball season on the road on Oct. 25 – 26 against the University of Manitoba. Next, they will return for their first regular-season home games, facing off against the UBCO Heat on Nov. 1-2.
For more details about the WolfPack Women’s Volleyball upcoming season, visit https://gowolfpack.ca/sports/womens-volleyball.